The following alternatives can be used in place of plywood for specific applications.
1. Formaldehyde-free plywood
Soy-based plywood is a good non-toxic alternative to regular plywood (made with phenol- or urea-formaldehyde) in most interior applications and in furniture.
Purebond and SoyStrong are two good brands.
There is basically no odor or off-gassing from these brands.
These are used for interior, non-structural applications only, like cabinets, furniture and perhaps even as walls.
2. OSB
Oriented strand board is often used in place of plywood in structural applications.
OSB can be made with MDI glues, and those are technically considered to be less toxic than formaldehyde.
Though many brands use a mix of formaldehyde and MDI.
However, many chemically sensitive folks do worse with OSB than plywood.
And I perceive it to have higher off-gassing and to take longer to come to completion than structural plywood.
But it’s possible that it works better for some people since the glues can be formaldehyde-free.
OSB can replace plywood in all structural applications, though it is considered a down-grade in terms of price, quality and durability to water.
Advantech products for sheathing are a type of OSB, though they are not marketed that way. They have types that are more durable to water than plywood.
3. XPS foam
Extruded polystyrene can replace plywood as wall sheathing in some areas of the world where this meets codes.
Usually this only comprises part of the wall sheathing so that corners still have more strength.
Though some architect say it’s probably not a good idea in most situations, so be sure to consult with a professional.
XPS has extremely low off-gassing which is not usually perceptible to people.
4. MgO board
Magnesium oxide board is a non-toxic cement based board.
Huber makes a brand called Exacor, and other brands can be found here.
Some brands can be used aa subfloor or other sheathing.
It can be used as wallboards and as a tile backer in some cases.
I even used it for cabinet boxes and countertop underlayment.
5. Solid wood
Solid wood can replace plywood in many applications, like purlins or skip sheathing on a roof, as 1-by boards for subflooring and sheathing, and for cabinet boxes and most furniture.
I go into that more in the article on subfloor, sheathing and decking.
6. Georgia-Pacific DensGlass
DensGlass is a gypsum board faced with fiberglass instead of paper. It can replace plywood sheathing in some areas (it is sometimes used as sheathing).
7. Cement board
Cement board is sometimes used as sheathing, especially in tropical areas.
USG Structural Panel, is a thick and very strong cement board, it is sometimes used on foundation walls when the framing is metal.
8. Drywall
Drywall is generally zero-VOC so it is technically less toxic than plywood but there are not many instances where they are interchangeable.
If plywood is an option for your walls then you may prefer to use drywall.
9. MDF, HDF and Particleboard
These other engineered boards are also often used in the same applications as plywood for furniture and cabinets but all three off-gas more formaldehyde than plywood.
Plywood is preferred for all of these applications, in my opinion.
Corinne Segura is an InterNACHI-certified Healthy Homes Inspector with certifications in Building Biology, Healthier Materials and Sustainable Buildings, and more. She has 10 years of experience helping others create healthy homes. You can book a consult here.
Katherine Ostman
Thank you for this information! I am grateful to have found you for current and future needs. Right now I am looking at plywood for a bed board, so non-toxic options are essential. I’m going to check out SoyStrong. Thanks again.
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
You’re welcome!
Carina Ruggiero
Hi Corinne – I saw the best way to contact you regarding consulting is to leave a comment. I’m in the process of buying a home that will likely need some renovation and possibly building an ADU. I’d like to find someone I can work with regularly throughout the process. Is there a way we can connect for a few minutes prior to a consultation to see if it would be a good fit? Please feel free to email me directly. Thank you!
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
Hi, no, comments are not the best place for questions about consulting. Everything is booked through the acuity calendar on the consulting page. I don’t offer discovery calls.
Andrea
Thank you for all this amazing info. I have a choice between PureBond and solid oak wood for stair risers. I would seal both options with Wood sealer (most likely Ecos). What would be the best option for home with infant from a health perspective?
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
both are good
Pauline Ringer
What would be the best chemical free, natural plywood type to be used instead of Waferboard sheathing, that goes on the roof, under the shingles? We just had Waferboard put on with Asphalt shingles and the smell is horrifc, day 5 now and I’m also very sick, nausia, headache, weak, anxiety. Already started claim for this through our insurance. How I pray we can get another non toxic roof put on, but will be a headache on top of the illness just to go through this process.
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
plywood types I talk about in a couple different articles, including one that is just about plywood (not this article), or for alternatives that can be used on a roof, the book goes into more detail on that.
Lisa Marxer Gabbard
We are trying to build our own house. We are looking for flooring and exterior walls support that has no VOC emissions whatsoever. You list several products but not where to buy them. We live in Western Oregon and have access to Home Depot and Lowe’s but neither have plywood that is free of formaldehyde that can be used for home structure. Please advise.
Beth
What do you think are the safest houses, in order? Wood, concrete, brick, siding, corrugated metal, etc? I am in Florida. What do you recommend as the best type of house to search for. Many thanks!
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
all of those types could be built well or could be built poorly and be moldy, see my facebook page and substack for more info on this topic